Carbonator nozzle assembly for beverage-merchandising machine

ABSTRACT

A nozzle assembly for delivering carbonated water from a supply to a cup in a carbonated beverage dispensing machine in which carbonated water from a supply flowing to the nozzle inlet through a solonoid-operated valve during the dispensing operation moves a valve in the nozzle away from its seat against the action of a spring to provide restricted flow of the carbonated water around the valve to the nozzle outlet. The position of the valve seat in the nozzle is readily adjusted to regulate the resistance to flow of carbonated water through the nozzle. The nozzle body and the seat-forming inlet member do not require close tolerances and are formed of synthetic resin having relatively good dimensional stability. The parts are easily disassembled for cleaning.

United States Patent 1 3,592,367

[72] Inventors Bruce B. Landis 2,894,377 7/1959 Shikles,.lr et a1222/l29.l X Long Valley; 2,940,472 6/1960 Chilcoat 137/540 Allan D.Harden, Lake Hiawatha, both of, 3,255,774 6/1966 Gallagher et al.137/540 X NJ. 3,266,672 8/1966 Dean ZZZ/129.1

[21] Appl. No 802,956 3,295,723 1/1967 Weltyv 222/129.1 X

[22] Filed Feb. 27, 1969 FOREIGN PATENTS [45] Patented July 13, 1971Assignee Rowe lntemaionallnc. 1,187,148 2/1965 Germany 1. 222/571whippany, N Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves [54] CARBONATOR NOZZLEASSEMBLY FOR BEVERAGE-MERCHANDISING MACHINE 11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

Assistant Examiner-David A. Scherbel Attorney-Shenier and OConnorABSTRACTrA nozzle assembly for delivering carbonated water from a supplyto a cup in a carbonated beverage dispensing machine in which carbonatedwater from a supply flowing to the nozzle inlet through asolonoid-operated valve during the dispensing operation moves a valve inthe nozzle away from its seat against the action of a spring to providerestricted flow of the carbonated water around the valve to the nozzleoutlet. The position of the valve seat in the nozzle is readily adjustedto regulate the resistance to flow of carbonated water through thenozzle. The nozzle body and the seat-forming inlet member do not requireclose tolerances and are formed of synthetic resin having relativelygood dimensional stability. The parts are easily disassembled forcleaning.

PATENTED JUL 1 319m SHEEI 1 OF 2 INVENTORJ 8/900: 5. LANDIS BY A7LL AN0. BHRDEN H TTORNEYS PATENIED JUL 1 3197:

*SHEET 2 UF 2 I N VEN TOR)" AND/5 BRUCE a. ALL/W a BAROEN 1 M 14 TTOANEYS CARBONATOR NOZZLE ASSEMBLY FOR BEVERAGE- MERCIIANDISING MACHINEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In most carbonated-beverage-merchandisingmachines of the type known in the prior art, in response to actuation ofthe machine to dispense a carbonated beverage, first a cup is positionedat a location at which it can directly receive both a charge offlavoring syrup and a charge of carbonated water, The syrup is deliveredto the cup and concomitantly a solenoid valve is operated to permit theflow of carbonated water from a carbonator to a nozzle which isconstructed to restrict flow of carbonated water therethrough. In aparticular nozzle arrangement known in the prior art. the nozzleincludes a metal cylindrical shell which receives a metal core. Acentral bore extending part way into the core admits carbonated waterinto the nozzle. Lateral openings located beyond a first seal betweenthe core and the bore wall leading from the bore to the wall of theshell cause water entering the bore to flow outwardly and then throughthe restricted space between the core and the shell wall toward thedischarge end of the nozzle. At a location adjacent the discharge end,and ahead of a second seal between the core and the bore wall, radialopenings cause the carbonated water to flow inwardly toward a short borein the other end of the core to be discharged from the nozzle through afilter. In order to permit the restricted flow required for optimumcarbonation of the water, the shell and core must be machined to withinrelatively close tolerances. This arrangement not only is apt to becomeclogged by dirt and the like, but also it is difficult to disassemblefor cleaning. In addition to that fact, no provision is made foradjusting the carbonation of the water. The nozzle is relativelyexpensive to construct.

We have invented a carbonator nozzle assembly for a carbonated-beverage-dispensing machine which overcomes the defects ofnozzles of the prior art. Our assembly does not require such closetolerances as are required in nozzle assemblies of the prior art. Ourassembly is readily disassembled for cleaning. Our nozzle assembly issimple in construction and is inexpensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of our invention is to provide acarbonator nozzle assembly for a carbonatedbeverage-merchandisingmachine which overcomes the defects of nozzle assemblies of the priorart.

Another object of our invention is to provide a nozzle assembly which isreadily disassembled for cleaning.

A further object of our invention is to provide a nozzle as sembly whichdoes not require the close tolerances which must be held in makingnozzles of the prior art.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a carbonatornozzle which is simple in construction and which is inexpensive tomanufacture.

Other and further objects of our invention will appear from thefollowing description:

In general our invention contemplates the provision of a carbonatornozzle assembly for a carbonated-beveragemerchandising machine in whichcarbonated water fed through a solenoid-operated valve during adispensing operation passes through a nozzle inlet member to move avalve housed by the nozzle away from a seat on the inlet member againstthe action of a spring to provide a restricted flow of carbonated waterbetween the valve and the nozzle wall to the discharge end of thenozzle. We form the nozzle and the inlet member from a synthetic resinso as to avoid much of the need for close tolerances inherent instructures of the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings whichform part of the instant specification and which are to be read inconjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used toindicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. I is a schematic view illustrating the carbonated water supplysystem of a carbonated-beverage-merchandisin g machine provided with ournozzle assembly.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of our nozzle assembly forcarbnated'bcverage-merchandising machines.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of our carbonator nozzle assembly with a partbroken away taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of our carbonator nozzle assembly taken alongthe line 4-4 of FIG. 0.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of our carbonator nozzle assembly taken alongthe line s s of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the FIG. 1, ina merchandising machine for dispensing carbonated beverages, a cup isdelivered to a platform or tray I2 at a location at which it may receivecharges of flavoring and carbonated water from a delivery systemindicated generally by the reference character 14. The system 14includes our improved carbonator nozzle indicated generally by thereference character 16 as well as a plurality of flavoring dispensingtubes 18 ofa type known in the art.

The carbonated water system of a carbonated-beveragemerchandisingmachine includes a carbonator 20 of any suitable type known to the art.A pump 22 driven by a motor 24 supplies fresh water to the carbonator 20through a line 26. Carbon dioxide from a'bottle 28 is fed through aregulated valve 30 to the carbonator 20. In response to the water andcarbon dioxide fed to the carbonator 20, it produces carbonated water inan outlet line 32. A normally closed valve 34 is adapted to be opened bya solenoid 36 in the course of a dispensing operation to delivercarbonated water to the nozzle 16. Since the arrangement thus fardescribed, except for our new carbonator nozzle assembly 16, is known inthe art, the machine will not be described in greater detail.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 5, the flavoring and carbonated waterdelivering assembly 14 includes an arm 38 supported on the frame (notshown) of the merchandising machine. Any suitable means such as metalscrews 40 secure an ice-chutemounting bracket 42 to the arm 38. Screws44 or the like attach a nozzleand flavoring-tube-supporting bracket 46to the bracket 42. We form the bottom of bracket 46 as a generallyhorizontally extending plate 48 having a plurality of holes 50 forreceiving the lower ends of the flavoring supply tubes 18 in a manner tobe described. A screw 98 located in a slot 99 in a bracket 97 adjustablypositions the bracket on plate 48. We form the bracket 97 with anopening 52 for receiving the lower end of nozzle assembly 16 to adjustfor best mixture of the carbonated water with the flavoring syrup. Plate48 is so shaped as to permit this adjustment. Screws 54 secure an upperguide plate 56 to a flange 58 on the upper edge of bracket 46. Weprovide the upper guide plate 56 with a plurality of holes 60 throughwhich the flavoring supply tubes 18 extend. Plate 56 further includes anopening 62 through which the nozzle assembly 16 extends. In assemblingthe unit 14 the feed tubes 18 are inserted in openings 50 with annularflanges 64 thereon resting on plate 48 before the upper plate 56 isattached to the flange 58. When this latter operation is performed, theupper ends of the tubes 18 are guided through openings 60. It canreadily be seen that the openings 60 are oriented with reference to theopenings 50so that the tubes 18 are directed toward a cup 10 positionedon the tray 12. In this manner, we insure that syrup delivered by thetubes will enter the cup.

The nozzle assembly 16 includes a tubular housing 66 pro vided with aninternal bore 68 having an enlarged portion 70 forming a first internalshoulder 72. A secondenlarged bore portion 74 is provided with'internalthreads for areason to be described hereinafter. We form the housing 66from any suitable dimensionally stable synthetic resin such for exampleas Lexan which is the registered trademark of the General ElectricCompany of Schenectady, New York for a thermoplastic polycarbonateresin.

The enlarged bore portion 70 of housing 66 receives a cylindrical valve76 formed of any suitable material such for example as stainless steel.Valve 76 is hollow to receive the upper end of a spring 78 which bearsbetween the shoulder 72 and the valve normally to urge the valveupwardly as viewed in FIG. 5.

The assembly 16 includes an inlet member 80 having a central bore 82 forreceiving carbonated water from the line 32. An annular recess 84adjacent the lower end of an inlet member 80 receives an O-ring 86 whichprevents the escape of carbonated water upwardly out of the housing 66.The lower end 88 of the member 80 forms a seat for the valve 76. Weprovide member 80 with an externally threaded portion 90 adapted to bescrewed into the bore portion 74 until the valve 76 engages seat 88 withthe desired force.

Housing 66 includes an exterior shoulder 92 and a pair of radiallyoutwardly extending lugs 94 spaced a short distance below the shoulder92. In order to mount the assembly 16 on the bracket 46 the lower end isinserted first through opening 62 and thence downwardly through opening52. Extensions 96 on opening 62 permit lugs 94 to pass through plate 56.Ultimately, shoulder 92 comes to rest on the upper surface of plate 56.The orientation of the assembly may be adjusted by moving bracket 72.

in operation of our carbonator nozzle, in connection with a machine suchas that schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, carbonated water issupplied to the inlet of the normally closed valve 34. Upon theinitiation ofa dispensing operation, after a cup has been delivered to atray 12, solenoid 36 is energized in a manner known to the art to permitcarbonated water to flow to the nozzle assembly 16.

The carbonated water thus fed to the nozzle inlet exerts sufficientpressure against valve 76 to move it away from seat 88. The carbonatedwater then flows past the seat and through the restricted space betweenthe wall of the nozzle bore and the valve to be discharged into the cup.

For carbonated drinks the optimum temperature is about 40 to 42 F. Atthis temperature the volume of gas in the drink is about 3.5 percent.

When it becomes necessary to clean our nozzle assembly the clip 98 isremoved to release the assembly. With hose 32 disconnected the inletmember 80 can be screwed out of the bore 74 and plug 76 and the springeasily removed. The parts may readily be reassembled in the same manner.The simplicity of our arrangement will readily be apparent. It includesonly five parts: the nozzle, the inlet member, the valve, the spring andan O-ring.

It will be seen that we have accomplished the objects of our invention.We have provided a carbonator nozzle assembly which overcomes thedefects of nozzles of the prior art used incarbonated-beverage-merchandising machines. Our assembly is easilycleaned. It permits adjustment of the degree of carbonation of thecarbonated water. It is simple in construction and is relativelyinexpensive to manufacture.

it will be understood that certain features and subcombina tions are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of ourclaims. it is further obvious that various changes may be made indetails within the scope of our claims without departing from the spiritof our invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that our inventionis not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. In a machine for dispensing a carbonated beverage to a cup at adelivery location. a carbonated water supply system including incombination, a supply of carbonated water, an elongated nozzle bodyhaving a longitudinal passage extending from an inlet end to a dischargeend of said body, means forming a seat in said passage intermediate saidends, a valve located in said passage. means biasing said valve intoengagement with said seat, means mounting said body with the dischargeend of said passage directed toward said location, and means responsiveto initiation ofa dispensing operation of said machine for coupling saidsource to the inlet of said passage, said mounting means comprisingspaced plates, said plates being formed with respective offset openingsthrough which said body extends.

2. A system as in claim 1 in which said plates are vertically spaced,said mounting means further comprising means for adjusting the relativepositiops of the offset openings.

3. In a machine for dispensing a carbonated beverage to a cup at adelivery location, a carbonated water supply system including incombination, a supply of carbonated water, an elongated nozzle body,said body having a longitudinal passage extending therethrough from oneend to a discharge end thereof, means mounting said body with thedischarge end of said passage adjacent to said location, avalve-seat-forming member, means mounting said member in said one end ofsaid passage for adjustment of the position of said seat along thelength of saidpassageway, said member having a passage leading from aninlet past said seat to said body passage, a valve located in said bodypassage between said seat and said discharge end, means biasing saidvalve into engagement with said seat normally to close said bodypassage, and means responsive to initiation of a dispensing operation ofsaid machine for coupling said inlet to said supply to cause carbonatedwater to move said valve away from said seat and to flow around saidvalve to said discharge end.

4. A system as in claim 3 in which said member-mounting means compriseexternal threads on said member and internal threads in said one endofsaid body passage.

5. A system as in claim 3 in which said seat is annular and in whichsaid body passage and said valve are cylindrical, and in which saidbiasing means comprises a shoulder in said body passage and a springbiased between said shoulder and said valve.

6. A system as in claim 3 in which said body-mounting means comprisesspaced upper and lower plates, respective laterally offset openings insaid plates, said upper plate opening having lateral extensions, anexternal shoulder on said body having a dimension greater than the sizeof said upper plate opening, and means for adjusting the relativepositions of the offset openings.

7. In a carbonated-beverage-dispensing machine, a valve assemblyincluding in combination, an elongated nozzle body formed of syntheticresin, said body having a longitudinal passage extending therethroughfrom one end to a discharge end thereof, a valve-seat-forming membermade of synthetic resin, means mounting said member in said one end ofsaid passage for adjustment of the position of said seat along thelength of said passage, said member having a passage leading from aninlet past said seat to said body passage, a valve formed of metallocated in said body passage between said seat and said discharge end,and means biasing said valve into engagement with said seat normally toclose said body of passage.

8. An assembly as in claim 7 in which said seat is annular and in whichsaid body passage and said valve are cylindrical, and in which saidbiasing means comprises an internal shoulder in said body passage and aspring biased between said shoulder and said valve.

9. An assembly as in claim 7 in which said synthetic resin is apolycarbonate resin.

10. In a machine for dispensing a carbonated beverage to a cup at adelivery location, a carbonated water supply system including incombination, a supply of carbonated water, an elongated nozzle bodyhaving apassage therein extending from an inlet end to a discharge endof said body, means forming a seat in said passage intermediate saidends, said passage comprising a cylindrical portion extending from saidseat toward said discharge end, an elongated cylindrical valve having adiameter slightly less than that of said cylindrical passage portion,said valve located in said passage portion, a spring for vide arestricted passage for the flow of carbonated water between the valveand the cylindrical passage portion wall.

11. A system as in claim 10 including means accessible externally ofsaid passage for adjusting the position of said seat along the passage.

1. In a machine for dispensing a carbonated beverage to a cup at adelivery location, a carbonated water supply system including incombination, a supply of carbonated water, an elongated nozzle bodyhaving a longitudinal passage extending from an inlet end to a dischargeend of said body, means forming a seat in said passage intermediate saidends, a valve located in said passage, means biasing said valve intoengagement with said seat, means mounting said body with the dischargeend of said passage directed toward said location, and means responsiveto initiation of a dispensing operation of said machine for couplingsaid source to the inlet of said passage, said mounting means comprisingspaced plates, said plates being formed with respective offset openingsthrough which said body extends.
 2. A system as in claim 1 in which saidplates are vertically spaced, said mounting means further comprisingmeans for adjusting the relative positions of the offset openings.
 3. Ina machine for dispensing a carbonated beverage to a cup at a deliverylocation, a carbonated water supply system including in combination, asupply of carbonated water, an elongated nozzle body, said body having alongitudinal passage extending therethrough from one end to a dischargeend thereof, means mounting said body with the discharge end of saidpassage adjacent to said location, a valve-seat-forming member, meansmounting said member in said one end of said passage for adjustment ofthe position of said seat along the length of said passageway, saidmember having a passage leading from an inlet past said seat to saidbody passage, a valve located in said body passage between said seat andsaid discharge end, means biasing said valve into engagement with saidseat normally to close said body passage, and means responsive toinitiation of a dispensing operation of said machine for coupling saidinlet to said supply to cause carbonated water to move said valve awayfrom said seat and to flow around said valve to said discharge end.
 4. Asystem as in claim 3 in which said member-mounting means compriseexternal threads on said member and internal threads in said one end ofsaid body passage.
 5. A system as in claim 3 in which said seat isannular and in which said body passage and said valve are cylindrical,and in which said biasing means comprises a shoulder in said bodypassage and a spring biased between said shoulder and said valve.
 6. Asystem as in claim 3 in which said body-mounting means comprises spacedupper and lower plates, respective laterally offset openings in saidplates, said upper plate opening having lateral extensions, an externalshoulder on said body having a dimension greater than the size of saidupper plate opening, and means for adjusting the relative positions ofthe offset openings.
 7. In a carbonated-beverage-dispensing machine, avalve assembly including in combination, an elongated nozzle body formedof synthetic resin, said body having a longitudinal passage extendingtherethrough from one end to a discharge end thereof, avalve-seat-forming member made of synthetic resin, means mounting saidmember in said one end of said passage for adjustment of the position ofsaid seat along the length of said passage, said member having a passageleading from an inlet past said seat to said body passage, a valveformed of metal located in said body passage between said seat and saiddischarge end, and means biasing said valve into engagement with saidseat normally to close said body of passage.
 8. An assembly as in claim7 in which said seat is annular and in which said body passage and saidvalve are cylindrical, and in which said biasing means comprises aninternal shoulder in said body passage and a spring biased between saidshoulder and said valve.
 9. An assembly as in claim 7 in which saidsynthetic resin is a polycarbonate resin.
 10. In a machine fordispensing a carbonated beverage to a cup at a delivery location, acarbonated water supply system including in combination, a supply ofcarbonated water, an elongated nozzle body having a passage thereinextending from an inlet end to a discharge end of said body, meansforming a seat in said passage intermediate said ends, said passagecomprising a cylindrical portion extending from said seat toward saiddischarge end, an elongated cylindrical valve having a diameter slightlyless than that of said cylindrical passage portion, said valve locatedin said passage portion, a spring for urging said valve into engagementwith said seat, means mounting said body with the discharge end of saidpassage adjacent to said location, and means comprising a normallyclosed on-off valve between said source and said inlet end andresponsive to initiation of a dispensing operation of said machine forcoupling said source to said inlet end to cause said cylindrical valveto move away from said seat thus to provide a restricted passage for theflow of carbonated water between the valve and the cylindrical passageportion wall.
 11. A system as in claim 10 including means accessibleexternally of said passage for adjusting the position of said seat alongthe passage.